Rabbi Azarya Berzon

Rav Azarya Berzon graduated from Yeshiva University High School in 1970, and studied in Eretz Yisrael for three years (two years under the tutelage of HaRav Moshe Shapiro shlita, one of the greats of our generation). Returning to the US, he continued learning for the next five years under the direction of HaRav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, zatzal, whose Derech HaLimud he faithfully absorbed. During those years he joined the YU Kollel, received Smicha from RIETS (1978), and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Philosophy. The following year Rav Berzon enrolled in the Yeshiva University Gruss Kollel in Eretz Yisrael. He then taught for 13 years at Yeshivat Birchat Moshe in Maaleh Adumim and Yeshivat Shaalvim. In 1991 Rav Berzon founded Yeshiva Sha'arei Mevaseret Zion where he served as Rosh Yeshiva for 18 years. In August of 2009, Rav Berzon came to Toronto, Canada, to establish the Torah Mitziyon-Yeshiva University Beit Midrash Zichron Dov where Rav Berzon serves as Co-Rosh Kollel. Rav Berzon is acknowledged as an educator who utilizes the Brisker Derech. He has written extensively about this Derech HaLimud and is currently completing a work on the Rambam. Rav Azarya’s fervent Ahavas Yisrael was inculcated by his father, zatzal, one of the outstanding Rabbanim in America.

In a society where candles were used for light (before electricity), how did one ensure that the candles used for Ner Chanukah are recognizable as being for a mitzvah – especially given the fact that pirsumei nisa is a critical element of the mitzvah? If a person lives alone would they not be required to […]

Binyamin was the one brother not involved in the sale of Yosef. Why is this enough of a reason for the Beit HaMikdash to be built in his territory? How is this connected to his stone – ישפה? Recorded at the OU Israel Center, July 4th, 2018 Download the mekorot here